PLACIDO SALAS, 82, Deming resident passed away Wednesday May 20, 2015 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces.

Visitation will begin Saturday morning May 23, 2015 at 10 o'clock at Baca's Funeral Chapel with the prayer vigil to follow at 11 o'clock. Mass of the Christian burial will follow at 1 o'clock at St. Ann's Catholic Church with Fr. Manuel Ibarra. Cremation will follow at Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

Placido was born September 5, 1932 in Santa Rosa, NM to Eliza Garcia and Jose Efren Salas. Placido began his career with the New Mexico State Highway Department as a Rodman in District 4 on May 7, 1952 and retired on December 31, 1996 as a Highway Project Supervisor 1, after a proud 44 years, 7 months and 21 days of service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Las Cruces and a member of the Moose Lodge in Deming, where he happily played Santa Claus for the children at several Christmas parties. He enjoyed fishing, playing the slots in Las Vegas and Ruidoso, being the fix-it man around the house and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Placido always had a smile on his face and a joke to share with his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Yolanda of the home; 3 sons, Michael Salas of Columbus, Mississippi, Joseph Salas of Columbus, Ohio, Neil Willis and wife Kate of Deming; daughter, Rhonda Willis-Page and husband Michael of Las Cruces; brother, Larry Salas of Peyton, Colorado; grandchildren, Lisa Arizaga, Zack Arizaga, Ronnie Gutierrez and husband Keith, Esteban Arizaga, Dawn Ellinger and husband, Jason, Joey Salas, Maegan Lauturner, C.J. Willis, John Willis and Lynn Willis and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Eliza Salas, sisters, Isabel Jimenez, Theresa M. Griego, Ernestine Chavez; brother, Evaristo Salas and a daughter, Valerie Chavez.

Pallbearers will be Michael Page, Neil Willis, C.J. Willis, Zack Arizaga, Ronnie Arizaga and Maegan Lauturner. Honorary bearers will be Abel Villegas and Joseph Sambrano.